It’s August – the late afternoon sun lights up downtown Manhattan, the humidity oppressive and absolute. Walking down West Broadway, you come across a jet-black storefront. As light slowly gives way to dusk, you pop inside, past the black picnic tables, umbrellas, and folks spilling out onto the sidewalk, all here for one thing: OPAQUE. Cj Hendry and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams collaboration to produce a jet-black ice cream, just as expertly balanced as it is boldly colored.
Guests are immediately greeted by an all-black interior, glossy tile picking up reflections from the surrounding activity. A row of inky, plush seating lines the left side of the room, while a massive bank of freezers stand on the right. A jet black waffle cup or cone is made to order, rolled in front of you and settling into its final shape, sugar and temperature working together to create a crunchy platform for the dessert – perfectly salted, in case you were wondering.
OPAQUE features a black cocoa and espresso fudge base, with balsamic cherry ribbons, each providing a unique and distinct flavor note of their own. Available in a cup or a cone, two beautifully textured scoops nestle together, a small yet powerful respite from the city heat. The depth of black cocoa, rounded out with a hit of espresso fudge at the end of the palate, and a cherry balsamic note to balance the sweetness, it’s perfect for an appropriately sweet treat on a warm summer day. Even better, this color is achieved in a completely natural manner – without the use of charcoal, which can decrease the effectiveness of certain medications.
At the end of the room, guests are greeted by a hyper-realistic portrait: a singular scoop of OPAQUE, rendered with love by the artist. Hendry works readily in hyperrealism, creating seven new original works exclusively for the collaboration, with the largest on display at the pop-up, a treat for the eyes as well. “We wanted to create an experience that pushes sensory boundaries,” said Hendry. “Removing color makes you feel everything else more deeply – the texture, the taste, the emotion. It’s quiet, it’s bold, it’s unlike any other ice cream shop you’ve ever stepped inside.”
The flower motif is ubiquitous among Hendry’s work, blending simplistic iconography with clever branding to create a unique space. Developed for Jeni’s around the concept of “black,” OPAQUE blends interior, product, and food design in a compelling way, paving new ground for similar projects in the future.
For more information on the Cj Hendry and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams collaboration, please visit jenis.com.
Photography courtesy of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
